Big Picture - November/December 2019 - 2

insight

Seven-Year Itch

even years ago, when I joined Big Picture magazine as assistant editor, I had no idea

November/December 2019

the world of wide-format existed. Sure, I passed digitally printed applications daily,
but I had no connection to or knowledge of the people, technology, innovation, and
passion surrounding this industry. Now, I feel like it's all I know."
This is the beginning of an answer I gave Marcus Timson, director of FM Future,
in my recent interview for FuturePrint. His inquiry was simple, "How did you get into print? Had you
intended to become part of the printing world?"
I love asking both industry vets and newbies these same questions. Unless you came from a long line
of printers, I'm not sure you knew this industry is where you'd end up either. And, while the answers I
receive vary, they always end the same: "I don't know where else I'd want to be."
While walking running the show floor at Printing United in Dallas, I caught up with Bob Elliott,
Graphic Finishing Partners. "You know, I was your first interview at your first tradeshow," Bob said.
"When was that? Six, seven years ago?"
That sure stopped me in my tracks. Bob was right. In 2013, I attended my first industry event: ISA
Expo in Las Vegas. I walked into the Mandalay Bay Convention Center and onto the red-carpeted floors
with a notebook, pen, and a list of vendors to visit, paired with only a few months of wide-format
knowledge. I felt overwhelmed and under-prepared. The closest I had been to these products was spec
sheets and advertisements; I had yet to see a wide-format digital printer in person. I vividly remember
calling my mom and saying, "I'm not sure this is the right industry for me."
I now look back on that time with a smile and a laugh. Who knows what I said to Bob as I pretended
to know the ins and outs of laminating. I'm thankful for him, and so many others at that tradeshow and
beyond, for welcoming me with open arms, teaching me everything that comes with this industry, and
giving me the opportunity to grow.
The seven-year itch suggests that happiness in a relationship declines around year seven of a
marriage. November 12th was my seven-year anniversary with Big Picture magazine and this industry.
You can probably already guess - I don't have the itch. I'm sure this is the right industry for me. And I
don't know where else I'd want to be.

Adrienne Palmer
Editor-in-Chief
adrienne.palmer@stmediagroup.com
Kathleen DeZarn
Art Director
kathy.dezarn@stmediagroup.com
Marty McGhie, Craig Miller,
Rachel Nunziata, Matt Richart
Columnists
Brian Adam, Ryan Clark, Terry Corman,
Scott Crosby, Michelle Gobert,
Diana Herrera, Brian Hite,
Hayes Holzhauer, Kerry King,
Robert Kissel, Chris Laniak, Stan Lucas,
Craig Miller, Nicole Piach, Carmen Rad,
Gary Schellerer, Elaine Scrima,
Jon Sherman, Reed Silberman,
James Swanson, Mark Taylor, Luis Vivas
Editorial Advisory Board
SALES
Lou Arneberg
Senior Market Strategist
East and Midwest US, E Canada
800/654-5169
lou.arneberg@stmediagroup.com
Jim Karwowski
Senior Market Strategist
West and South US, W Canada, Europe, Asia
630/474-4038
jim.karwowski@stmediagroup.com
Vernita Johnson
Directory and Classiﬁed/Account Executive
513/263-9313
vernita.johnson@stmediagroup.com
Linda Volz
Production Supervisor
linda.volz@stmediagroup.com

Christine Baloga
VP Marketing Operations and
Customer Acquisition
Michael Pence
Director of Technology

Editor-in-Chief
BIG PICTURE

EDITORIAL

Murray Kasmenn
President
murray.kasmenn@stmediagroup.com

BY ADRIENNE PALMER

bigpicture.net

@Adrienne_BigPic

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Big Picture - November/December 2019

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